Wednesday Class Work and D&D

I slept late as I had no real plans for Wednesday. I hoped to join an ad hoc Dungeons & Dragons at The 649 in Aloha in the evening. When Emma C and I stopped by The 649, Kylie and Crystal, the bartenders, told me there was a D&D game on Wednesday (I learned that Z was busy again with Track); I hoped to join.

I found the kitchen, it is still in the same place and looks great with the new flooring, and made a pot of liberal coffee. I use Fair Trade and Equal Exchange brand coffee, meaning that my cup of coffee is fully paid for, and those growing the coffee are fairly paid. My coffee is not causing more pain. When I taste its bitterness, I am again reminded that God does not measure a nation by how great its buildings, conquests, or wealth are, but by how it treats the orphan, widow, and the stranger (once you or your forebearers were a stranger in a new land).

I found my focus, and with many cups of coffee (too many), I wrote the blog, ordered flowers for Mom Wild (for too much money), and sent chocolates to Leta for Mother’s Day (though the chocolates will be late). I ordered the book Spirit Wheel for pick-up at the local Powell’s. I have heard it quoted often at church meetings and wanted a copy. I may then give it away, as it is not likely to be my style. The words I have heard are beautiful.

I reheated the potato, cheese, and ham, plus the baked beans from a couple of days ago. This did not sit well with me, and I had to coast for the afternoon. I might also still be tired from the weekend. I find that since I broke 58, I tire more. A short nap, then trying to rise again, was difficult, and a headache added to my woes. Pain killers and water, and watching DS9 balanced the scale better.

Deborah is at a conference in Kalazoo, Michigan, and she calls me between classes and events. The long distance seems longer this time, and we miss each other. Deborah (and Jeanne) will be in California in June. I will drive Air VW the Gray to LA to meet them. I am excited to drive there again (though it will blow through my mileage on my lease).

I put my Book of Revelation work, laptop, and D&D Player Handbook (both 5E and 2024 versions) in the cargo hold of the EV and headed to The 649. The bartender (sorry, name forgotten) was unknown to me, and he was unaware of a game at the place, but told me Crystal would be in soon. I ordered a beer, found a seat against the window, and instead worked on Sunday School class stuff and then hotels for my trip down (taking two days and arriving on the third).

I learned that David Kearns was running for Beaverton City Council, he wrote the adventure we were playing, and his campaign manager was also playing, and that this was a fundraiser for David. Later, after checking David’s campaign page, I did make a donation. There was space for me, and I soon, after finishing a beer, ordered another and ate my sandwich (brisket with avocado in a pressed sandwich). I sat at the table and soon was playing a cleric with seven other people, including the DM, Josh.

There were two newbies, and this was a one-shot intro game with 3rd-level characters and a broad mix of species. 2024 and 5E were mixed in, but the adventure was 5E style. Josh rolls for everything in his games and uses the standard initiative-based combat order. The adventure was a theater-of-the-mind, meaning no figures, and the DM created the adventure from some loose notes as we played. We played for a few hours, and we rescued Beavertopia’s (a fantasy city that reminded us of Beaverton, and the adventure started in a coffee house) magic protection gem from some criminal-gang dragon-born crew. I lost count of the number of natural ’20’s that were rolled by the adventurers (including me). The big bad was pounded and did not even get more than one swing in. The DM was smiling (and I smiled with him) as his should-be-dangerous bad guy fell quickly with almost no damage to the adventurers (I have been DM for like surprises).

It was strange for me to roll for damage, but folks enjoyed rolling. The new players began to figure out what was going on, and they had good plans and kept the spotlight on them. I gave some advice here and there, healed the monk, and managed to roll average (almost minimal once and max a second time, my usual).

Yes, raising money for a campaign by playing D&D sounds like a politician I can support. David had to make up a lie, and it was so terrible that we all agreed he couldn’t lie well. Perfect for Beaverton City Council!

It was fun. After the game, I had a coffee with a shot of Amaretto on the side. I chatted with Crystal until closing time about traveling and New Orleans. I then headed home. I soon was in bed again, reading. I slept until the sun rose, but then rolled over.

Thanks for reading!